India Spending USD 28.9 Billion Annually On Obesity Related Illness, TBI Report Warns

Resonating with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warnings that obesity is a “huge public health problem” in the country, a new report has said India currently spends an estimated USD 28.9 billion annually on obesity-related illnesses, a figure that could rise sharply without urgent intervention.

The report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), launched at a high-level roundtable on the eve of Anti-Obesity Day on November 26, brought together policymakers, health leaders, and researchers to assess India’s preparedness for the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.

While India has strong health initiatives, participants noted, these efforts remain scattered and lack a unified, comprehensive strategy.

The report highlights that India is uniquely positioned to respond. Strong digital public infrastructure, expanding primary-care capacity, and world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing provide an opportunity to build a prevention-first model — one that addresses disease before it reaches hospitals.

Experts unanimously stressed that unless India prioritises prevention, rising obesity could erode past health gains. A health system equipped to treat disease must also be capable of preventing it, they said.

Dr. Anoop Misra, renowned endocrinologist and Chairman of Fortis C-DOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, and Director of the National Diabetes Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation, explained why obesity in India is particularly concerning.

“Obesity in Indians behaves differently — it is more inflammatory and metabolically disruptive. Even at lower BMI, Indians develop high blood sugar much earlier. Fat deposition is also distinct, with excess abdominal and visceral fat emerging as the most dangerous form,” he said.

“This abdominal adiposity drives early diabetes, heart disease, and other metabolic illnesses. Addressing this high-risk obesity pattern is crucial for India’s future health,” he added. Experts highlighted that Indian obesity is not just a matter of weight, but a unique metabolic phenotype requiring urgent attention.

Neeraj Jain of PATH emphasised the need to scale preventive health from individual initiatives to a national strategy. “We need a shared goal of a healthier India,” he said, urging government, industry, and civil society to come together.

Dr. Monika Arora from PHFI talked about food campaigns launched through the Let's Fix Our Food (LFOF) Consortium, with an aim to improve the food environment for adolescents by advocating for healthier food habits, and encouraging healthier school food options.

At the same time, Dr. Suman Chakrabarti of IFPRI cautioned that unless healthy eating becomes a daily norm and nutritious food is made accessible and affordable for all, India will continue to battle both hidden hunger and calorie excess.

Maulik Chokshi, Global Director for Health Systems Research and Policy at ACCESS Health International, observed that tackling obesity will require a whole-of-society effort — combining policy, innovation, and behavioural change. Vivek Agarwal, Country Director, TBI, added that technology, data, and community-level engagement can help slow the obesity curve while building a health system resilient to future shocks.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly highlighted that by 2050, as many as 44 crore Indians could be obese, a scenario he termed “dangerous.” The Prime Minister has urged citizens to adopt practical lifestyle changes rather than drastic measures — reducing cooking oil, choosing balanced diets, and making time for regular physical activity.

Experts agreed that India must urgently integrate policy, technology, medical intervention, and community engagement to curb the obesity epidemic, ensuring a healthier and more productive nation.